B.B. King Biography & News

B.B. King Details

About B.B. King

A History of B.B. King tickets

Blues guitarist and singer B. B. King is nothing short of an inspiration. Now in his 80s, the king of the blues still rocks a crowd like only he knows how, no matter what their age. Born in 1925 in Mississippi, Riley B. King grew up singing in his church's gospel choir and bought his first guitar at age 12. After moving to Memphis, Tennessee, King gathered a following while working on local radio there. There, he was dubbed 'Beale Street Blues Boy' and the name stuck, eventually being shortened to 'B.B.'

A Natural Improviser

From early on, B. B. King developed his style of improvising on the guitar, admitting he wasn't a good player of chords. His sassy blues style, combined with his raspy, weathered singing voice, have propelled a stellar performing and recording career, garnering 15 Grammy Awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987. B. B. King is one of the few artists in history who has influenced the tastes of his fans rather than being influenced by their preferences. Though he has retained his signature style throughout his career, he has remained a relevant fixture in popular music, scoring hits with the likes of U2's Bono ('When Love Comes to Town,' 1988), Eric Clapton ('Riding with the King,' 2000) and Gary Moore ('Since I Met You Baby,' 1992). B. B. King tickets continue to sell out on is international tours, and no wonder. He and his legendary guitar Lucille are an ageless act that never fails to satisfy, blues-style.

B.B. King Discography

Album name

Release date

Stay Around a Little Longer

2010

Maailman tähdet: B.B. King

2009

Anthology

2008

Fundamentals

2008

Live at the BBC

2008

One Kind Favor

2008

The Jungle

2008

The Birth of a King

2007

The Best of the Early Years

2007

Black Blues Experience

2007

Why I Sing the Blues (Past Perfect)

2007

Sings Spirituals

2006

Mr. Blues

2006

Gold

2006

The Ultimate Jazz Archive (set 16: Blues)

2005

A Night of Blistering Blues

2005

The Ultimate Collection

2005

Golden Legends: B.B. King Live

2005

The Blues

2005

80

2005

Blues Boy

2005

BB King Biography

2005

Original Greatest Hits

2005

King of the Blues

2004

Timeless Classics

2004

Blues Masters -- B.B. King

2003

Portrait

2003

Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: B.B. King

2003

My Kind of Blues: Crown Series, Volume 1

2003

B.B. King and His Orchestra Live

2003

36 All-Time Greatest Hits

2003

Reflections

2003

Lucille & Friends

2003

Classic Masters: B.B. King

2002

The Vintage Years

2002

B.B. King & Friends

2001

Gold

2001

Blues Giant Best Selections 1

2001

Midnite Jazz & Blues: Blues You Can Use

2000

Makin' Love Is Good for You

2000

Grandes mitos

2000

Anthology

2000

Riding With the King

2000

20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of B.B. King